Governor Pataki’s 2005-06 budget proposal is balanced,
but the plan could cause cumulative out-year budget gaps between
$5 billion and $11 billion by the end of 2007-08, according
to a new report by state Comptroller Alan Hevesi.
The report noted that the Governor’s budget proposal
includes many measures rejected by the Legislature in previous
years. “If the Legislature again rejects these proposals,
the out-year budget gaps could grow to $11 billion by the
end of 2007-08,” a release from the Comptroller's office
said.
The report also criticized the Governor's budget for not
complying with the CFE court order to provide billions in
new funding to New York City Schools. Instead, the Governor's
budget gives schools $325 million in new aid "on a statewide
basis in tenuous video lottery
terminal revenues for operating expenses," the report
said.
The Governor’s budget contains “imprudent borrowing”
and relies on “previously rejected funding sources”
and “one-shot” revenues to balance the budget,
the release said. Other items included in the Governor’s
proposal, such as the state takeover of local Medicaid costs,
would require “multi-year fiscal discipline.”
“It is unclear how this will emerge since recent court
decisions have added new uncertainties that could further
jeopardize the adoption of a timely budget and consensus on
overdue budget reforms,” Hevesi said.
The report also criticized the Governor's budget proposal
for: under funding the state's pension system by $367 million;
promising local-level Medicaid relief by enacting measures
the Legislature has previously rejected; failing to provide
for a $1 billion potential HCRA shortfall if the state loses
a current court-battle over the privatization of Excellus
Blue Cross; imprudent borrowing, including refinancing $3
billion in outstanding bonds that will “result in savings
now, but adds a net additional cost of $2.1 billion over 30
years.”
The report is available in PDF format at www.osc.state.ny.us/reports/budget/2005/statebudgetreport22305.pdf.